All the more reason teens and their families need to perform due diligence in determining college, degree, funding and even prospective career paths.

With college graduates who take out loans carrying an average of $26,600 in debt, practical considerations such as employment potential can't be discounted.

Indeed, the jobless rate for those ages 18-29 remains high - 11.6 percent, says the Labor Department; over 16 percent according to Generation Opportunity, an advocacy group for millennials.

Further underscoring the challenges is Congress' recent failure to prevent the interest rate of popular Stafford loans from doubling to 6.8 percent, and a recent report showing scores of for-profit colleges have higher rates of students defaulting on student loans than graduating.

What's a college-minded student to do? Homework, and lots of it.

Cost comparisons, to be sure. But also asking questions: Is the college experience worth the cost of room and board? Or, what can the family budget realistically absorb? (Loans from 401(k) accounts go up 15 percent during summer months, a spike attributed largely to college tuition bills.)

Not to be dismissed is the fact that thousands of Rochester-area job openings await qualified candidates in high-skills areas such as engineering.

Monroe Community College is leading the charge to publicize these opportunities and equip students to take advantage of them, which can often require just a two-year degree.

As important as pursuit of knowledge is preparation for career. Savvy college students must strive to combine both in a way that's financially responsible.

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